Bushing load transducer
A bushing transducer comprising a transducer body, comprising a first end, a second end spaced axially from the first end with respect to a longitudinal axis, a first flange extending radially from the transducer body near the first end, a first seat extending radially from the transducer body and spaced axially from the flange, a first hole extending from the first end into the transducer body, a threaded portion spaced axially from the first seat toward the second end, a keyed portion, and a second hole extending from the second end into the transducer body. The bushing transducer further comprising a second seat removably coupled to the threaded portion, a second flange removably coupled to the keyed portion, and an anti-rotation key arranged between the first seat and the second seat and extending from the transducer body away from the longitudinal axis.
1 . A bushing transducer, comprising:
a transducer body, comprising
a first end,
a second end spaced axially from the first end with respect to a longitudinal axis,
a first flange extending radially from the transducer body near the first end,
a first seat extending radially from the transducer body and spaced axially from the first flange,
a first hole extending from the first end into the transducer body,
a threaded portion spaced axially from the first seat toward the second end,
a keyed portion arranged between the threaded portion and the second end, and
a second hole extending from the second end into the transducer body;
a second seat removably coupled to the threaded portion;
a second flange removably coupled to the keyed portion; and
an anti-rotation key arranged between the first seat and the second seat and extending from the transducer body away from the longitudinal axis.
2 . The bushing transducer of claim 1 , wherein portions of the first and second holes are tapped.
3 . The bushing transducer of claim 1 , wherein the transducer body further comprises a first mid portion arranged axially between the first flange and the first seat and a second mid portion arranged axially between the threaded portion and the second flange.
4 . The bushing transducer of claim 3 , wherein the first mid portion comprises a first inner portion and a first outer portion and the second mid portion comprises a second inner portion and a second outer portion.
5 . The bushing transducer of claim 4 , wherein one or more gages are arranged about the longitudinal axis on the first inner portion and the second inner portion.
6 . The bushing transducer of claim 5 , wherein the first and second inner portions are cylindrical.
7 . The bushing transducer of claim 5 , wherein the first and second inner portions are octagonal.
8 . The bushing transducer of claim 1 , wherein the first seat comprises a first conical surface and the second seat comprises a second conical surface, wherein the first conical surface faces the second conical surface.
9 . The bushing transducer of claim 1 , wherein the transducer body further comprises one or more channels parallel to the longitudinal axis and extending axially through the first seat and the threaded portion.
10 . The bushing transducer of claim 1 , wherein the anti-rotation key is an integral component of the transducer body.
11 . A bushing, comprising:
a bushing body, comprising:
a first end, and
a second end spaced axially from the first end with respect to a longitudinal axis;
a sleeve arranged within the bushing body between the first end and the second end, the sleeve comprising a necked portion comprising a first sleeve seat and a second sleeve seat spaced axially from the first sleeve seat with respect to the longitudinal axis, and
a transducer, comprising:
a transducer body comprising a first seat extending radially from the transducer body and a threaded portion spaced axially from the first seat; and
a second seat removably coupled to the threaded portion of the transducer body, axially trapping the transducer with respect to the sleeve.
12 . The bushing of claim 11 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a groove extending axially through a portion of the first sleeve seat and the second sleeve seat.
13 . The bushing of claim 12 , wherein the transducer further comprises an anti-rotation key coupled to the transducer body and arranged in the groove to prevent rotation of the transducer with respect to the sleeve.
14 . The bushing of claim 11 , wherein the necked portion is axially trapped between the first seat and the second seat.
15 . The bushing of claim 11 , wherein the first sleeve seat engages a first conical surface of the first seat and the second sleeve seat engages a second conical surface of the second seat.
16 . A vehicle chassis, comprising:
a first chassis component comprising a first through hole;
a second chassis component comprising a second through hole;
a vehicle mount comprising:
a bushing body, comprising:
a first end, and
a second end spaced axially from the first end with respect to a longitudinal axis;
a sleeve arranged within the bushing body between the first end and the second end, the sleeve comprising a necked portion comprising a first sleeve seat and a second sleeve seat spaced axially from the first sleeve seat with respect to the longitudinal axis; and
a transducer, comprising:
a transducer body, comprising:
a first hole and a second hole extending along the longitudinal axis,
a transducer aligner arranged axially between the first hole and the second hole, comprising:
a first seat in contact with the first sleeve seat,
a second seat removably coupled to the transducer body and engaged with the second sleeve seat; and
one or more fasteners coupling the vehicle mount to the first chassis component and the second chassis component.
17 . The vehicle chassis of claim 16 , wherein the first seat and the second seat comprise conical surfaces.
18 . The vehicle chassis of claim 17 , wherein the first sleeve seat and the second sleeve seat comprise conical sleeve surfaces.
19 . The vehicle chassis of claim 18 , wherein the transducer is axially and rotationally trapped within the sleeve and with respect to the longitudinal axis.
20 . The vehicle chassis of claim 16 , wherein the transducer comprises one or more gages coupled to the transducer body.